PNE dip into loan market

Preston North End manager Phil Brown has stated that his team looks “a little bit stronger” after a trio of loan players arrived at Deepdale this week. Jonathan Forte joins Southampton team-mate Sam Hoskins in the one-month loan move as Brown looks to bolster the strikeforce, which he believes has been “lost” through inury in recent weeks. Iain Turner’s injury means that German shot stopper Thorsten Stuckmann also makes the switch from Alemannia Aachen.

After a torrid run of form turned out some truly horrific results for the Lilywhites, Phil Brown looked to the loan market, bringing in three new players before tonight’s game against Rochdale. High on Brown’s priorities were the forward positions: with top scorers Iain Hume and Neil Mellor still out through injury, he has looked to Championship high-fliers Southampton for assistance.

Joining the club on one month emergency loan deals are Saints strikers Jonathan Forte and Sam Hoskins. At 18, Hoskins is yet to make his first team league debut, although did feature as a substitute in a League Cup came against Swindon Town. Forte has enjoyed two goals in three appearances for the Saints this season, and has a decent overall record of 33 goals in 110 starts for the club.

“We’re bringing a player in who’s playing at Championship level now, and has been a threat wherever he’s been. He’s not the most prolific goalscorer, but he’s a good hold-up player, he gets behind teams, he stretches them, and he’s got that illustrious quality that all strikers need, and that’s pace.” – Phil Brown on Jonathan Forte

Forte is eligible to start against Rochdale in the Johnston’s Paint Trophy tie tonight at Spotland, but will not feature in Saturday’s clash with Southend. Conversely, Hoskins’ situation is the exact opposite.

North End have shipped a staggering 17 goals in their last five games. Whilst the blame cannot solely be placed on any individual, Iain Turner has looked somewhat shaky and unreliable in recent performances. To combat this, German goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann joins Preston from 2. Bundesliga team Alemannia Aachen. The 6’7″ keeper is expected to start between the sticks against Rochdale tonight.